Ashley''s suicide was something Tavon never truly understood.


    When he''d firste back and tried to ask the housekeeper what had happened, she''d already quit because of some family emergency. Everything seemed to point to Ashley taking her own life, so Tavon never dug any deeper.


    Ashley, now stuck in a hospital bed and barely alive, had been abandoned by her own family. The job of looking after hernded squarely on Tavon and Sandy''s shoulders, with Sean helping out when he could.


    Sean was constantly sick after donating his bone marrow-he could barely take care of himself, let alone anyone else.


    Sandy, meanwhile, was hustling in secret, working her way back up in business. She was always busy, barely home, and forever on the move. That was just who Sandy was she refused to lose. If she''d put all that energy into something good, she''d have been a top businesswoman by now.


    Watching Anastasia''s life take off only fueled Sandy''s jealousy. She wouldn''t let herself fall behind, even if no one else noticed thepetition.


    One morning, Sandy woke up with a pounding hangover and decided she might as well check in on Ashley. As she reached the bedroom door, she overheard Tavon on the phone with Anastasia.


    He wanted to ask James for help. James had once saved Tavon''s life-maybe he could do the same for Ashley. But if Ashley woke up, the truth about who pushed her might finallye out.


    Sandy balled her fists, took a deep breath, and walked inside. "Dad, is Mom doing any better?"


    Tavon looked at her, tired. "No change. She just lies there."


    Sandy muttered, “Living like this is worse than dying."


    Back then, she''d honestly thought Ashley would die from the fall.


    She hadn''t meant for Ashley to die. But with Ashley finding out about the bone marrow scam—and thepany going under-maybe if something happened to Ashley, the Salstroms would feel sorry for them. Maybe Herman wouldn''tpletely destroy their family.


    She''d gambled, and it paid off.


    Tavon didn''t pick up on the edge in Sandy''s words. "Your mom spent her whole life being strong and put-together. She never imagined she''d end up like this—helpless, relying on others for everything."


    "Dad, I have to go. Please look after Mom," Sandy said quickly. She didn''t want to stay. Even with Ashley not moving an inch, Sandy still felt a twinge of guilt.


    "Go on, do what you need to do," Tavon replied, waving her off. He knew better than to try and stop her.


    Just as Sandy was heading out, Sean rushed in, waving his phone "Dad! Look at this-Mckenzie''s name is on the police rescue list. She was trafficked to Mexico and they just brought her back


    "I thought she went home to take care of her father," Tavon said, confused.


    Mckenzie had been their housekeeper-the only one who knew Sandy was home the day Ashley had her ident.


    Back then, Sandy had paid Mckenzie off and arranged for her to be sent away, thinking she''d nevere back. She definitely hadn''t expected the police to find her alive.


    The news made Sandy''s heart skip a beat. “Let me see.”


    She grabbed Sean''s phone, scanned the article, and her face went pale.


    Mckenzie really had been rescued.


    Sean went on "There were a bunch


    of people trafficked this time.


    Mckenzie got lucky-even though she lost a kidney. If she hadn''t quit to chase a better sry, she Wouldn''t have ended up like this Honestly, she brought it on herself."


    Sean didn''t pity her. To him, Mckenzie had bailed on their family when things got tough.


    Tavon read through the news too. "Riverdale police got her out. She''s at First Hope Hospital. Sean, you stay here with your mom. I''m going to check on Mckenzie."


    The moment Tavon mentioned visiting Mckenzie, Sandy''s nerves went haywire.


    Sean objected, "Dad, why bother? She was never loyal to us—let her deal with her own consequences."


    Sandy jumped in, “Dad, seriously, ?


    let''s not get involved. Who knows


    what kind of mess she''s gotten into?


    If the police start digging into her


    past with us, it couldnd us in trouble.


    But Tavon shook his head. "She worked for our family for years. I just want to see how she''s doing. Sandy, you drive me."


    Once Tavon made up his mind, nothing could change it. Sandy and Sean couldn''t stop him, so Sandy had no choice but to get the car and take him to the hospital.


    She knew she had to keep a close eye on Mckenzie-she couldn''t risk her saying something she shouldn''t.